The Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences identified the body of the minor who was found in a creek north of Houston. After releasing images of two suspects, police located those allegedly responsible for the 12-year-old girl’s death, who were charged with capital murder, authorities said during a conference.
The Houston Police Department’s investigation began when officers found, on Monday, June 17, the body of a young woman in a creek at 400 W. Rankin Road, after being reported missing by her mother.
The girl was strangled to death
The Harris County medical examiner conducted laboratory studies and identified the victim as Jocelyn Nungaray, in addition to confirming that the girl’s death was due to strangulation.
Police said surveillance footage from security cameras showed two men meeting Jocelyn before walking with her to a convenience store. The three then walked together to the bridge, where Jocelyn was killed.
Authorities did not comment on whether Jocelyn knew the men of Hispanic origin, who were apparently roommates.
“Thanks to everyone involved in this case, the gang division, the homicide team, SWAT and the city’s northern patrol team, we have located, interviewed and charged the two responsible for the murder of this 12-year-old girl, Jocelyn,” said Lieutenant García during the conference.
BREAKING: 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray has been ID’d as the girl found dead in a Houston creek early Monday morning, hours after police say she snuck out. Her family told me they are desperate to get the perpetrators off the street as @houstonpolice seek 2 persons of interest. pic.twitter.com/eM0UO78tro
— KPRC 2 Bryce Newberry (@KPRC2Bryce) June 19, 2024
The suspects are Hispanic
The two men who were arrested are Johan José Rangel Martínez, 21, and Franklin José Peña Ramos, 26. The individuals each face one count of capital murder for the murder of Jocelyn Nungaray.
In some local media outlets that have closely followed the girl’s death, they claim that the two men are Venezuelans and had entered the country illegally through El Paso.
Alexis Nungaray, Jocely’s mother, told KPRC 2 news that the last time she saw her daughter alive was Sunday night before she went to bed around 10:00 pm. Houston police believe Jocelyn escaped from her Rankin Road apartment sometime between 10:00 pm and 12:00 am.
Mrs. Nungaray, upon seeing that her daughter was not in her bed the next day, notified the authorities, while she managed to locate the minor’s cell phone and went exactly where she was found dead, the same newscast reported.
The mayor of Houston on the case
“Both the chief and the mayor of Hosuton have been in communication with the mother of this little girl, who is making arrangements to transport the girl’s body,” commented Lieutenant García.
“When the detectives released the photos of the suspects, it helped us because there were witnesses who recognized them, that’s how we were able to locate and arrest them. The attorney general’s office has accepted the charges of capital murder, which is the highest possible,” he confirmed during the conference, which was also attended by Mayor John Whitmire and Police Chief Larry Satterwhite.
García expressed that they need the community to continue supporting them, since the trial before the Court continues and they need more witnesses for the case.
“We ask that people, if they know anything, contact the homicide division, at 713-308-3600, you can also contact Crime Tappers anonymously.”
Detectives reported that the results of the sexual assault examination performed on the victim are pending. The case remains under investigation.
Friends of the family opened a GoFundMe account to request financial help for Jocelyn’s funeral services, since her mother Alexis was not prepared for such a tragedy and they want to say goodbye to her.
They requested a goal of $35,000 and so far they have managed to raise more than $33,000 dollars.
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